Did you think of something that brings back great memories, or that has lasted for many years? Or, on the other hand, did you worry that you bought something that wasn’t really authentic, that you overpaid, or that you may have fallen prey to a tourist trap? 

All of us love to bring home a special Italian memento. And whether you’re going to Parma or Palermo, local vendors compete for your money with a myriad of local traditions and buying opportunities. But for many of us, selecting which silk scarf or leather bag to bring home can prove intimidating. How do you know if you’re buying something authentic, something made in Italy, something made in a traditional way? How do you gauge how much you should pay, and how do you know if you’re being scammed?